Check Out NOAA’s December & 3-Month Outlook for Minnesota

According to NOAA's 2020-2021 Winter Outlook for the United States, Minnesotans should probably keep the shovel and snow blower handy.

Over the last few days, most of us have seen mild weather and above average temperatures -- they certainly can't last for long (although it is 2020, so who knows).

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parent agency of the National Weather Service says that most of Minnesota can expect above normal temperatures this December, and near normal precipitation.

For the next three months as a whole, it looks like we could expect slightly below to near normal temperatures and above normal temperatures (which in the Land of 10,000 Lakes likely means snow).

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Not a big fan of above normal snowfall? Blame La Nina. The Pacific Ocean water temperatures are the driving force behind this winter's weather expectations.

NOAA’s seasonal outlooks provide the likelihood that temperatures and total precipitation amounts will be above-, near- or below-average. The outlook does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations; snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.

Typical La Niña Pattern

Winter gets pretty long in Minnesota, especially if we don't find ways to get out and embrace it. Skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snow shoeing, skating, and just gold old walking are all great ways to get out and take it all in.

Pete Hanson is on 98.1 Minnesota's New Country weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:00.